One bettor stands to win $3.5 million across three parlays if Portugal lift the World Cup

A single high-rolling bettor could collect nearly $3.5 million in profit if Portugal win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having constructed three separate parlays across several months that all hinge on Cristiano Ronaldo’s side claiming a first-ever world title.

The bettor, a customer at Fanatics Sportsbook, began building the position as far back as February. The first ticket is a $20,000 two-leg parlay that opened with a moneyline bet on Ecuadorian side Libertad Loja — who duly won 1-0 against Manta — leaving only Portugal’s World Cup triumph to complete it. At odds of +4975, the parlay would return a total payout of $1,015,000, a profit of $995,000.

The second wager, placed on March 25, is a $10,000 six-leg parlay that threaded together two NBA games — Lakers vs. Pacers and Bulls vs. 76ers — with Portugal winning the World Cup. The first five legs landed on the same day they were placed. Should Portugal go all the way, the bettor clears $1,218,400 in profit at odds of +12184, for a total payout of $1,228,400.

The most recent addition is a $25,000 four-leg parlay linking the Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 1, Alexander Zverev winning the French Open, and Portugal winning the World Cup. At odds of +5121, that ticket would yield a further $1,280,427 in profit.

Combined, the three parlays represent $55,000 in total stakes and a potential windfall of just under $3.5 million — all riding on a result that has never happened before in football history.

Portugal are currently priced at +900, making them the fifth favourite in 2026 World Cup futures markets, so the outcome is far from fanciful, even if it remains a significant ask.

Elsewhere in the futures market, a FanDuel Sportsbook customer placed an 83-cent two-leg parlay on December 26 combining Anthony Edwards to score the first basket in a Timberwolves-Heat game with Colombia winning the World Cup. Edwards obliged, and while Colombia were a +45000 long shot at the time of the bet, they have since shortened dramatically to +4000 — the 11th choice among the 48 competing nations — giving that near-worthless ticket a faint but real pulse heading into the tournament.